Causes of Deforestation and Conservation of Madhupur Sal Forest in Tangail Region

Abstract

:Over the past few decades deforestation has become the issue of global concern for its rapid reduction of biodiversity. The tropical moist deciduous Sal forest ecosystem of central Bangladesh is currently in a critical situation. Destructive anthropogenic and natural impacts coupled with overexploitation of forest resources have caused severe damage to the forest ecosystem. Due to rubber monoculture, expanding commercial fuel wood plantations & expanding agriculture, illegal cutting, encroachment of forest areas, and illegal poaching of wildlife, the Sal forest is losing biodiversity alarmingly. The study is based on intensive literature survey and tries to explore the overall deforestation situation and conservation practices for M adhupur Sal forest that comprises about 5% of the total forests in Bangladesh. The level of destruction of the natural Sal forest has pushed the forest-dwelling indigenous Garo community into cash crop production, forcing them to move away from their traditional subsistence economy. Now we need to address a joint conservation and improved management plan of the forest resources use. Thus all kinds of military establishments, construction of roads and highways for military purposes should be avoided and a policy of planned industrialization should be adopted to mitigate the adverse effect of industrialization. Findings of the study will help to identify the causes of deforestation and conservation of Madhupur Sal forest and also in other national parks in Bangladesh which ultimately conserve the biodiversity and help to maintain natural balance.

Natural regeneration potential of Madhupur National Park, Bangladesh

“…The surrounding people collect fuel wood for daily cooking and earning a part of their livelihood by selling the fuel wood in the local market. Hossain et al (2013b) reported that 59% of the surrounding people use 6 -10 kg wood for their daily cooking purpose, most of which is collected from the Sal forests. The conflict of interest and land occupancy right among the local ethnic community (Garo) and forest department is another major challenge for sustainable management of the Madhupur National Park.…”

Tree Diversity and Management of Village Common Forests in Bandarban

“…VCF meet the demand of bamboo, timber, medicinal plants, fuel wood and other minor forest product of ethniccommunity (Chakma, 2005). A study conducted by Hossain et al (2013), overexploitation of forest resources has caused severe damage to the forest ecosystem which led to rapid loss of biodiversity.The current alarming rate of forest degradation in the Bandarban district is warrants an evaluation of the strategic importance and potential of the VCF for sustainable natural resources management and biodiversity conservation in the hilly area. Hence, the protection and preservation of VCF become crucial for livelihood, environmental, medicinal, cultural and religious needs of indigenous communities (Misbahuzzaman and Marma, 2008) However, the management of VCF sets an example of sustainable forest management.…”

Effects of Land-Related Policies on Deforestation in a Protected Area: The Case Study of Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangladesh

“…The land zoning program did not aim to replace forestland with agricultural land [60], but local people might not have followed the rules, including community ownership in the land tenure system [61]. Furthermore, some lease owners who leased land sold their allotted land leasing rights to local affluent elites [62][63][64]. It was observed that land lease owners constructed small huts or houses (made of wood and soil) in the forest's vacant places, and also that they started to clear forest lands by cutting trees and converting these areas into noncommercial agricultural land [62,63].…”